Land Acknowledgement
This statement was last updated on August 26th, 2025.
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Bearing Witness recognizes the importance of remembering not only global histories of injustice but also the ongoing histories of colonialism here in Canada.
Our Commitment
We acknowledge that our work is carried out on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. Today, this land continues to be home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
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This territory is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and is bound by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement that emphasizes the responsibility to share the land and its resources in peace.
Why This Matters
As a project dedicated to remembrance, justice, and education, Bearing Witness acknowledges that the violence of colonialism is not only part of history but an ongoing reality. Indigenous peoples across Canada continue to face systemic inequities, displacement, and the intergenerational impacts of residential schools and cultural erasure.
Remembering global atrocities requires us also to confront local ones. Honoring the land we occupy is a step toward accountability, and it reminds us that the fight for justice and human rights must include solidarity with Indigenous communities here.
Ongoing Efforts
Bearing Witness is committed to integrating Indigenous perspectives into our work, amplifying marginalized histories, and continuing to learn from the leadership of Indigenous communities. We see remembrance as an active practice, one that requires reflection on our place within ongoing systems of colonialism and the responsibility to act with integrity.
We encourage all visitors to learn more about the Indigenous nations whose land they live on, to reflect on the treaties and responsibilities that shape our shared spaces, and to support Indigenous voices and movements working toward justice today.
Resources for Learning and Action
Here are some resources to help you learn more, reflect, and take action:
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Native-Land.ca – Explore interactive maps to learn whose traditional lands you are on.
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Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action – Read the 94 Calls to Action.
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National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – Access archives, survivor testimonies, and educational tools.
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Indigenous Foundations (UBC) – A resource on key topics in Indigenous history, politics, and culture.
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Amnesty International Canada on Indigenous Rights – Advocacy and information on Indigenous rights in Canada.